Simplicity On A Plate

How To Create A Buzz Without Disrupting The Peace

Nothing is simpler than nature: the stillness, the quiet and the solace that can be sought in the middle of nature is harder and harder to find amidst the high-rise cityscapes and modern pressures. That is why Japanese architect, Takuya Hosokai, kept his latest design Plate as clean and minimal as possible – with floor-to-ceiling windows to bring the outside peace in while not disturbing it.

Takuya himself is well-versed in a variety of architectural forms having studied in Japan and helped design large scale regional projects as a senior architect for a number of companies. His years of experience shows in this newest work – as Plate, is a small, yet meticulously thought out, museum with room for a market selling fresh goods and a restaurant serving dishes using locally grown ingredients, as well as a space for events and concerts. It is the hub of the community and it manages to bring vibrancy and buzz without disturbing the natural balance of the dense forest surrounding it.

Able to withstand the heavy snowfall in the area as well as allow for fluidity of function, Takuya has placed real emphasis on connecting individual spaces within a structure that both withstands and works with the natural elements. Here, the architect himself discusses the important of function versus beauty.

The Plus: What was the brief you were given for Plate?
Takuya Hosokai: An architecture for regional revitalization.

TP: How is it similar to your other work and how is it different?
TH: Regarding ‘PLATE’, the core objectives were to respect the unique context of the site and the program, I tried to keep the architecture as simple as possible. The process of developing the program and an efficient, and effective structure are ongoing themes in my practice.

TP: How would you describe yourself as an architect?
TH: Subjective and Objective.

TP: You have lived in many different countries, which of these did you feel exhibited the most interesting architecture or approach to housing?
TH: There is interesting architecture everywhere, not only by architects but also without architects. I am more interested in vernacular architecture.

TP: How do you navigate the balance between beauty and function? For example, in ‘Housing Complex Niigata I’, you drew inspiration from theatrical performances and use this concept in the building yet also considered function and efficiency.
TH: Beauty is more subjective, whilst function is more objective. It’s like an image and a language. To develop architecture, design should incorporate both an image and a language alternately.

TP: You have studied architecture extensively, what are the lessons you feel you’ve learnt through working that education can’t prepare you for?
TH: Seeing is believing.